E-L-R reveal next advance track ‘Oaken Reaper’
taken from forthcoming new album “Atropa”

E-L-R drop the dark and foreboding track ‘Oaken Reaper‘, which is also the next advance single taken from their forthcoming album “Atropa“. The Swiss duo‘s third full-length has been slated for release on November 6, 2026.

E-L-R comment: “The track ‘Oaken Reaper’ was conceived in a time of change and became a symbol of the path that we have travelled as a band over the past years”, guitarist and vocalist S.M. explains. “Poised between a farewell and new beginnings, the song bridges two chapters of our story. It speaks of enduring the fire and of hope that emerges from transformation.”

Tracklist
1. Oaken Reaper
2. Archeress
3. Cobalt Wound

4. Solace Tracery
5. Saltwinds
6. Echo Space

Art is regularly born from strong emotions. Metal and related genres often thrive on the darker side of the human experience. Both commonplace truths apply to E-L-R‘s third album “Atropa”.

“Atropa” was shaped by a period of profound transformation and illness, leading to an artistic exploration of survival, endurance, and irreversible change. Stylistically, the Swiss duo effortlessly balance doomgaze and post-metal with something that is darker and harsher, which is also harder to put a tag on. E-L-R refer to their sound as something that drifts between weight and dissolution, beauty and poison.

Lyrically, the songs on “Atropa” pass through stages of grief, delirium, obsessive love, and resilience. The poetic lyrics linger in a liminal space where yearning, loss, and transformation become indistinguishable.

The album’s name might also offer a clue. In botanical terms, ‘atropa’ refers to the nightshade family of plants that is best known in Europe for the deadly nightshade, which is also called Belladonna due to the cosmetic use of its toxin particularly in Renaissance Italy.

E-L-R are the brainchild of bass-player I.R. and guitarist S.M., who also share vocal duties and founded the band in the Swiss city of Bern in 2016. They were soon after joined by drummer M.K., whose emotive style was a perfect fit. In the early stages of the creation of “Atropa”, M.K. was sadly forced to leave the band due to health issues.

Their debut album “Mænad” (2019) achieved widespread international acclaim and that opened doors for E-L-R to touring with AMENRA, WOLVENNEST, HANGMAN’S CHAIR, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, SYLVAINE, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY, and more. The Swiss also performed at festivals such as Up In Smoke, Prophecy Fest, Stoned from the Underground, and Amplifest among many others.

With their sophomore album “Vexier” (2022), E-L-R took a decisive step forward by broadening their stylistic horizon and taking their listeners on an adventurous journey through a fascinating and multi-dimensional musical cosmos. Again, the album reaped universal applause around the globe.

Following a difficult and at times painful recording process, E-L-R present their most complete album yet that takes its listeners on an emotional rollercoaster ride that burns with passion. “Atropa” inhabits the threshold where the irreversible begins — when the arrow is loosed, and the world can no longer remain the same. Now and always, we are all bound to follow the trajectory of such an arrow.

Artist: E-L-R

Album title: Atropa
Release date: November 6, 2026
Style: Doomgaze
Label: Prophecy Productions
Distribution: SPKR
Review Impact Date: October 5, 2026

Line-up
S.M. – guitar, vocals
I.R. – vocals, bass

Recording line-up
S.M. – guitar, vocals
I.R. – bass, vocals
D.B. – drums (except on ‘Oaken Reaper’)

M.K. – drums on ‘Oaken Reaper’

Guest musicians
Remo Häberli – additional guitars, sound design

D.B. – additional vocals on ‘Solace Tracery’
Shazzula – vocals on ‘Cobalt Wound’

Recorded, mixed & mastered by Remo Häberli at Hidden Stash Tonstudio, Bern (CH)

Cover photography by Laura Petresc
Layout & Design by Mateo Collina

Style: Doomgaze

Shop link
https://spkr.store/collections/e-l-r

Available formats
“Atropa” is available as ltd. pearl flip waterfall vinyl LP (500 copies), black vinyl LP, and as Digipak CD.

Links
www.e-l-r.band
www.facebook.com/elrhaze
www.instagram.com/elr_band